There are several types of instructional software available for use in our classrooms. Some are free, some you can get a free trial, and some required a paid subscription or purchase. These software programs usually fall into one of six categories: Drill & Practice, Tutorial, Simulation, Instructional Games, Problem Solving, and Integrated Learning Systems. Roblyer and Doering (2013, p 75-77) outline 4 phases for integrating technology into one curriculum.
- Phase 1: Analyze Teaching and Learning Needs
- Determine the relative advantage the technology will bring to the lessons
- Assess and explore what features the technology offers.
- Determine how these features relate to the content and affect pedagogical practices.
- Phase 2: Plan for Integration
- Decide on Objectives and Assessments
- Design Integration Strategies
- Prepare Instructional Environment
- Phase 3: Post-Instruction Analysis and Revisions
- Analyze Results
- Make Revisions
Below is more information on the categories of Instructional Software, as well as Links and Videos about some of the software that I use (or would like to use) teaching Math.
DRILL & PRACTICE
Drill and Practice Software"allows learners to work problem or answers questions and get feedback on correctness" (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p 78). Both practice and feedback are important for students learning math. These type of software programs gives the students a large selection of usually randomly generated problems to practice, solve, and then get feedback. This is often a better choice for practice than a standard worksheet or problems from the textbook, being there are a larger number of problems available and students can receive immediate feedback. Depending upon the program teacher may also get reports on student progress through the programs. However, this is not offered from the lower tech web applets.
Here are a few links to math drill and practice websites.
TUTORIAL
Tutorial Software "acts like a human tutor by providing all the information and instructional activities a learner needs to master a topic: summaries, explanation, practice routines, feedback, & assessment" (Roblyer & Doering 2013 p 78). Tutorial programs can be very useful in the classroom. They allow for a more individualized approach to instruction. The teacher can select what tutorials a student works with to meet his/her instructional needs.
A library of over 4,200 tutorial video lesson that covers K-12 math, science topics such as biology, chemistry, and physics, and even reaches into the humanities with playlists on finance and history. Each video is a digestible chunk, approximately 10 minutes long, and especially purposed for viewing on the computer.
Example of Khan Academy Tutorial
Provides short but thorough engaging tutorial videos on a variety of subjects. Some videos are free others require subscription.
SIMULATION
Simulation software "models real or imaginary systems to show how those systems or similar ones work or to demonstrate underlying concepts" (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p 79). Every Math and Science Teacher should know about Shodor.org. This is a website dedicated to improving math and science education through the effective use of modeling and simulation technologies — “computational science.” This website provides simulation applets and lessons plans for math and science grades 3-12. This is a great resource that I do not see used enough. I also included a link under problem solving because many of the lessons plans take a problem based approach with the simulations.
Click here to vist:
Below is a video demonstrating the tessellation simulation applet.
Below is a link for online graphing calculators. Graphing calculators allow students to explore algebraic relationships of graphs and functions. If you do not have a classroom set this is a free option to explore some of these concepts
INSTRUCTIONAL GAMES
Instructional Games "increase motivation by adding game rules to drills or simulations" (Roblyer & Doering 2013 p 79). Instructional Games make drill and practice more fun for students. In math they are a great too for refreshing basic arithmetic skills, but there are instructional games for even higher level math skills. A quick internet search returns results to hundreds of math games. Below are links to just a few of the available.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Problem Solving Software is used for one of two purposes. It teaches directly, through explanation and/or practice the steps involved in solving problems, or it helps learners acquire problem solving skills by giving them opportunities to solve problems (Roblyer & Doering 2013 p 79).
Two Examples of Problems Solving Software I include for math is Geometer's Sketch Pad and Shodor Interactivate Simulations and Lessons. See the links and videos below to learn more about these programs.
The Geometer’s Sketchpad® is the world’s leading software for teaching mathematics. Sketchpad® gives students at all levels—from third grade through college—a tangible, visual way to learn mathematics that increases their engagement, understanding, and achievement. Make math more meaningful and memorable using Sketchpad.Elementary students can manipulate dynamic models of fractions, number lines, and geometric patterns. Middle school students can build their readiness for algebra by exploring ratio and proportion, rate of change, and functional relationships through numeric, tabular, and graphical representations. And high school students can use Sketchpad to construct and transform geometric shapes and functions—from linear to trigonometric—promoting deep understanding.Sketchpad is the optimal tool for interactive whiteboards. Teachers can use it daily to illustrate and illuminate mathematical ideas. Classroom-tested activities are accompanied by presentation sketches and detailed teacher notes, which provide suggestions for use by teachers as a demonstration tool or for use by students in a computer lab or on laptops. (from:http://www.keycurriculum.com/products/sketchpad)
Shodor.org Interactive Problem Based Math Lessons with Online Simulations
As I said before, Every Math and Science Teacher should know about Shodor.org. This is a website dedicated to improving math and science education through the effective use of modeling and simulation technologies — “computational science.” This website provides simulation applets and lessons plans for math and science grades 3-12. Many of these lessons take a problem and discovery based approach in which students discover mathematical principles through these simulations.
Video about Shodor Interactivate
INTEGRATED LEARNING SYSTEMS
"Integrated Learning Systems (ILSs) are networked or online systems that provide both computer based instruction and track and report on student progress" (Roblyer & Doering 2013 p 102). Below are two integrated learning systems I have used. The advantages I saw in these programs were that they allowed individualization of content for the students and that student data can be transferred between schools if a student moves.
A+ is a comprehensive software program that provides, tutorial, practice, assessment and reporting for students. There is an extensive list of lessons for all grades and subjects. The teacher can also create his/her own tutorials and assessments to use in the program. Many schools use this for a variety of purposes including intervention, credit recovery, remediation, and individualized instruction.
Academy of Math
Academy of Reading and Academy of Math is another ILS. However, it is only really for middle and elementary school. It is more engaging than A+. Students given a pre-assessment to determine placement in the program and then they follow a track of learning in which they gain trophies for completing a level. Teachers are allowed to track progress and are alerted if a student may need some intervention/help. This program was very successful in helping one student I taught who had significant deficiencies after moving to the United States from the Ukraine.
Academy of Reading and Academy of Math is another ILS. However, it is only really for middle and elementary school. It is more engaging than A+. Students given a pre-assessment to determine placement in the program and then they follow a track of learning in which they gain trophies for completing a level. Teachers are allowed to track progress and are alerted if a student may need some intervention/help. This program was very successful in helping one student I taught who had significant deficiencies after moving to the United States from the Ukraine.
Math and Science Teachers need to check out http://t.co/CvEqo3XQja online lessons and simulations. #ED5059413UWA
— Andrea Collins (@ACollinsUWA) June 26, 2013
Nice post! I will have to go to these links. I would love to use some of them in my classroom next year. I love the Geometer's Sketch Pad.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job! I actually use a lot of the software that you have posted. I have never used Geometer's Sketch Pad, but I will next year and I will share it. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteWell Done! I thought you did and excellent job with this post. I love the videos you used. I use Brain Pop in my class it is a great program.
ReplyDelete